Pipe-clamp.



M. BROWN.

PiPE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. may

Patented Sept 7, 1915.

' MILO BROWN, 0F WELLINGTON; Assi tance or oNn-HaLrfiro w t-meat B,

IB Y, or WELLINGTO exas.

To all whom it may concern surface acts as a fulcrum point for immediately throwing the gripping surfaces of theopposite jaw into engagement with the 1 e. r p llhe invention in the preferred form of details will be described in the following specification, reference being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which: r

Figure 1 is a view in side'elev'ation of the improved machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the movable gripping element including the spaced jaws. I I V Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings the improved machine comprises a base'l preferably in the form of a plate designed to rest upon the surface ofthe platform or ground adjacent the well and formed in one edge with a recess 2 to permit the passage of pipe through the base in the raising or lowering operation thereof. Secured to and risingfrom the base are spaced parallel uprights 3, said uprights being of any appropriate heightand substantially constructed to withstand the strain to Which the machine is subjected in use.

Removably mounted upon a'pivot bolt 4 joining the standards near their upper ends is an operating lever 5, preferably of angle form, the long end of which constitutes the handle end. A link 6 is pivotally connected to the short end of the lever and in turn pivotally supports the upper gripping memher 7. This member comprises spaced parallel bars 8 turned toward each other at their rear ends and terminally formed with rearwardly extending contacting ears 9 to which the link or links are pivotally connected,

I e ime? s cification of Letters 2mm. i -"Application filed May 27 .1913. Serial No. 770,222.

amm l. a, 1915.

The bars 8 which arespaced apart at their forward ends are connected by a pivot rod 10011 which is mounted-a grippingelement 11 including a plate-likestrip 12 -rotatably mounted on: the pivot and corresponding in width to the distance between the bars 8.

' At'therespective upper and lower ends said strip is formed or provided with jaws 13 and 14,, said jaws extending practically at right" angles to. the strip and inwardly thereof. The upperjaw 13 has its free edge formed on inwardly diverging linesas-at 15 while the ,lowerjaw l l ha's its free or. gripping edge 16 straight," the gripping edges ofboth jaws being preferably sharp enedgj Secured to and bridging the barsS at theends remote from the connection of -the gr pping element 11 thereof is the fixed gripping element formedof {a strip passed across the upper edges of the bars and turneddownwardly in contact with their outer surfaces and riveted in place. That portion of this strip betweenthe bars is formed with a gripping edge 18 arranged" on inwardly converging lines andsharpened.

The length ofthe strip 12 of the" gripping element 11 is such that-the jaws 13 and 14 are above and below the jawor gripping edge 18 of the fixed element 17. Mounted gripping element 7 is the lower gripping element 19. This element is preferably in the form of a lever 20 mounted upon a pivot pin 21 arranged to cooperate within one of the series of longitudinally alined openings 22 in the uprights, whereby the lower gripping element is longitudinally adjustable with respect to said uprights. The rear end of the lever 20, or that portion projecting on the same side of the uprights as the handle between the uprights" 3 below tlieupper of the operating lever 5 is bent to form a foot operating extension 23, and intermediate said foot extension and the pivotis connected to the uprights by a spring 24 whereby the rear end of the lever is normally maintained elevated.

The forward portion of the lever 20 is 7 formed to provide a spaced parallel bar 25, corresponding in size and shape to the bars 8 of the upper gripping element. Between the bars 25, and at their forward ends is pivotally supported a movable gripping element 26 similar in all respects to the grip- 'ate, assuming the pipe is to be lifted with the upper jaws of the movable gripping elements of each member, so that the pipe willbe, initially held by the, inwardly convergent gripping edges of said jaws. As the operating lever is lowered the upper gripping element is in effect moved outwardly causing the movable gripping element 11 to more tightly force the pipe against the fixed jaw 18, the upward movement of the pipe freeing the movable ele ment 26 of the lower gripping member from a gripping action on the pipe incident to' the pivotal mounting of said element 26. When the lever is released and moved downwardly for a new grip the spring 24 forces the forward end of the lever downwardly with the effect to force the upper jaw of the gripping element 26 of the lower member into gripping cooperation with the pipe holding the pipe against the fixed jaw 27. A repetition of this operation causes the pipe to be gradually elevated to the desired extent. In lowering the pipe the upper gripping member is the medium for gripping the pipe during the release of the lower gripping member, said latter member in this instance being operated by foot pressure upon the foot extension 23 of said lever 20.

The detailed formation of the jaws of the respective movable and fixed gripping elements is particularly important in that it prevents the slipping of the pipe and insures a firm hold thereon under all conditions. The pivotal mounting of the movable gripping elements 11 and 26 are further important as it compels a comparatively extensive movement of the elements for the gripping operation while at the same time affording sufiicient space for the passage of couplings or the like on the pipe in the release position of said movable gripping ele ments.

Itis of course to be understood that the various parts are to be constructed of such material and in such relative sizes as will best adapt them for the particular character of pipe being operated upon, and that aside from the essential details hereinabove described, I in no wise limit myself as to shape, size or material of the parts.

That is claimed is A pipe grip comprising a pair of spaced bars, a strip pivoted at a point adjacent to the extremities of said bars, said strip having its ends bent at right angles to form gripping surfaces, and a grip element secured to the bars and having its gripping surface positioned to one side of the pivotal connection of said strip. y

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. MILO BROWN.

lVitnesses:

H. A. HoLcoMB, C. B. ANDERSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, .D. C. I 

